Diver, nurse and policewoman win Rehendhi awards

A diver, nurse and policewoman were the winners of the Rehendhi Awards handed out on International Women’s Day in recognition of service to the nation.

This year’s winners were Zoona Naseem, a successful dive instructor, Aminath Waheed, one of the country’s longest-serving nurses, and Inspector Fathmath Nashwa, head of the police road safety unit.

Vice President Abdulla Jihad presented the annual awards Thursday morning and pledged the current administration’s commitment to promoting gender equality.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Gender Minister Aminath Zenysha said no job or occupation was closed to Maldivian women and highlighted achievements in reducing infant mortality and providing opportunities for women to pursue higher education.

She also acknowledged the need to tackle the increasing number of domestic violence and sexual harassment cases filed with the gender ministry.

Special activities were meanwhile organised at government, private and state-owned company offices to mark International Women’s Day, including a red carpet welcome for female staff at the tax authority.

But the celebrations drew criticism from some Maldivians on social media who called for concrete action or policy changes instead of marking the occasion with decorations and gifts.

The representation of women in decision-making posts is low in the Maldives. Women account for only five out of 85 lawmakers, six out of more than 180 judges, 40 out of 653 local council members, and 22 out of 132 ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers.

So basically you celebrated #WomensDay exactly how you perceive women to be in the society… tokens, superficial, reinforcing stereotypes and on top of it all, the two patriarchs can't even stand for women's equality…i mean literally they are seated

@MIRAmaldives, out of the 29 board members and senior staff, only 9 are women.Please commit to increasing gender representation in senior staff & equal access to opportunities for all women. Women don't need tokenistic celebrations.Commit to real change instead #PressforProgresshttps://t.co/ndvZUhfQvn

The MDP celebrates all the brave women who continue to fight for gender parity & against discrimination, harassment & misogyny. The MDP calls on the regime to stop continued harassment & abuse of women, esp women detained with political motivations. #WomensDay#PressForProgresspic.twitter.com/Wn7n5acuEX